PROVINCETOWN, Mass. – Don’t miss one of New England’s grandest Fourth of July celebrations, as fireworks bring joy to the young and the young at heart. Independence Day Celebrations kick off on July 3rd with one of Crown & Anchor’s mega-themed dance parties – Freedom Beach Party where world-class DJs rock the sandy dance floor. Festivities continue with a family-oriented and fanciful Fourth of July Parade down Commercial Street. And end your day – or begin your night – with a spectacular Fireworks Display reflected in the calm waters of Provincetown Harbor.

As the Fireworks settle the Town awakens to an annual rite of summer passage – the arrival of the Bears. Bear Week in Ptown, July 9-17 is when a hairy and hearty breed of men crowd the quaint streets of the town in search of bear or cub packs. On tap for this unique faction of gay culture are food feasts, boat cruises, pool parties, live acts and late night dancing. As the men head out of town the women take over with the annual Girl Splash – July 19-23. Girl Splash is an amazing lesbian weekend loaded with special events including: whale watching, schooner sails, star-studded entertainment, pool and dance parties. Girl Splash is one of the “can’t miss” events for women who love women anywhere to be found.

Strollers and playgrounds are the order of the week as Provincetown welcomes all American kids to Family Week 2016, July 23-30. No need to leave the kids at home when you visit Ptown with fun and games hosted by the Family Equality Council.Family Week in Provincetown is one of the largest annual gathering of LGBTQ parents and their families in the world. The memory-filled week will include a family Olympics, a “Run the Trails for Whales 5K,” interactive music classes and pool parties. Continue the kid-friendly adventures with the Center for Coastal Studies6th Annual Whale Week – July 24-30. You can learn about the whales of Cape Cod, and make your own home made boat!

For those whose interests are more ‘grounded’, join in The Provincetown Art Association and Museum’s 19th annual Secret Garden Tour, on July 17th. The tour is a self-guided journey through private stunning gardens in full bloom. You can also try your hand at sailing on ‘The Queen of the Tall Ships’ Kalmar Nyckel – a faithful re-creation of the Dutch-built armed merchant ship that brought Swedish settlers to North America in 1638. The ship is docked at MacMillan Wharf and passengers of “day sails” during July 18-29 are afforded the option to work alongside the crew, hauling lines and raising sails, or simply enjoy the views.

During your visit be sure to take a stroll down famous Commercial Street – one of the best people-watching streets in the world. The main drag is quintessential New England, with shops catering to eclectic and treasure-hunting buyers, renowned art galleries, world-class restaurants and some of the best watering holes this side of the Atlantic. Several of Ptown’s iconic eateries have been revived and refreshed with new owners bringing great dining to Mojo’s, Spindler’s at the Waterford Inn, Strangers and Saints, Upper Deck BBQ & Brews and Kabob-E-Licious.

Whether you’re a parent, bear, foodie or reveler, experience the welcoming atmosphere, beautiful landscape and fantastic events that make Ptown what Lavender Magazine named America’s “Best Summer Vacation Destination” and why Fodor’s Travel, Smithsonian Magazine and others named Ptown one of the 10 Best Small Towns in America and Trivago ranked Provincetown first on its list of ‘2016 US Best Ranked Cities to Stay.’